An Irish man who was kidnapped after falling for an email fraud scam was rescued when police raided a hotel in the capital of Ghana where he was being held captive.

James Lafferty, 49, from Ennis, Co Clare, had been held hostage for about five days while kidnappers demanded money for his safe return. He was freed after police received a tip.

Lafferty visited the west African country last week in an attempt to recover money he had paid the email scammers. The kidnappers took him hostage, then contacted his family and business associates in Ireland and demanded more money.

"He is currently safe and well in the Honorary Consulate in Accra after being freed by local police, a spokesman for the Department of Foreign Affairs told (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/7073108.stm) the BBC.

One man has been arrested. It is understood that the kidnappers were unarmed. ®

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